QTEC

QTEC conducts training afternoons for new reps and experienced union representatives.

This popular training session is open to Union Reps who have previously completed an introductory course and for reps who wish to update their skills and awareness of current union campaigns.

The content includes campaigning, workplace negotiations, conflict management and others.

The aim of the conference every year is to bring together as many QTU reps as possible to plan campaigns and develop strategies as well as to provide an opportunity for reps from around the state to get together.

Afternoon forums are conducted for women activists with guest speakers and senior officers facilitating. Training sessions are organised by the QTU Women’s Officer and focus on women teachers working conditions, anti-discrimination and harassment, legal protection for teachers, women in the QTU and women in leadership.

These afternoon sessions are held in Brisbane and regionally for principals, deputy principals, HODs, HOSESs. The program includes current issues and campaigns as well as legal issues for educational administrators.

A professional conference for Education Leaders is held annually in Brisbane.

This course is for area council delegates / proxies and aims to skill area council delegates in the operations of the union.

In Brisbane, this course is held on a Saturday morning followed by lunch and combined Area Council meetings for six Area Council groups, however this format may vary in regional areas.

The content covers issues such as members’ rights and entitlements, report writing, organising branch-based campaigns and strategies on increasing Union involvement.

New educator events are conducted in Brisbane and regions including an annual new educator professional conference, held in Brisbane.

All new educator programs cover a number of issues effecting new teachers, including working conditions and entitlements, the role and operations of the Queensland Teachers' Union, legal issues, induction and probation as well as behaviour management.

In 2012 the QTU established a new educator network (NEN) group with new educators from all regions of Queensland forming part of the NEN group for that year. In 2013 and 2014 additional new educators were nominated to be part of the NEN group. This QTU initiative is to involve new educators in important areas of the union’s activities and planning. Training for NENs includes public speaking and activism and advocacy skills.

TAFE activists training is available in all areas of Queensland and focuses on issues of relevance to TAFE, TAFE structural issues, campaigning, using the media, recruitment, role of the Union Representative and current issues.

A biennial conference conducted by QTEC on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members is scheduled for Brisbane in 2019.

The QTU provides support to Associate Members through university visits as well as delivering programs on areas of importance to new teachers. These include the benefits of Union membership and their industrial and professional rights.

Glen Pearsall, an author of several books on classroom behaviour, conducts sessions in November each year for students in their final years of education training. This seminar has been run by the QTU for a number of years and is very successful. It provides a high level of support to our third and fourth year associate members on classroom management.